Klaus Burkart, a 21-year-old milk technician from Germany, is the new Mr Gay World. He has just won the title at Mr Gay World 2015 in South Africa. Burkart says he would like to be a role model for young gay men all over the world and help them with their coming out and also change young people's opinion of homosexuality. “I would like to lead the world to a point where it is not essential to even have a coming out.” He says he is planning a campaign to visit schools and talk about how to avoid bullying and gay bashing. “It is my dream to share my campaign with delegates and supporters all over the world. I would really like to work together with them to create similar campaigns adapted for their own countries.” The win comes three years after German Mr Gay New Zealand Andreas Derleth won Mr Gay World. In the top five this year were Iceland, Belgium, Finland, Germany and Hong Kong. Mr Gay Iceland Troy Michael Jonsson is behind The Bleeding Love Project which is about ending the bans on gay men donating blood. He was hoping to win Mr Gay World to help him get that message across. Mr Gay Belgium Jordy De Smedt said he wanted to be Mr Gay World “to be the first to give an example to a new era. The normal gay guy who is trying to look for a place in this society where no eccentric lifestyle is needed.” The two New Zealanders in the competition, Mr Gay New Zealand Matt Fistonich and Mr Gay Australia Scott Fletcher, both finished in the top 10. Fistonich, 24 spent six years as a firefighter in the Air Force and describes himself as “an average Kiwi bloke”. Fletcher, 27, is an expat New Zealander who now calls Melbourne home. The security consultant for an “ethical hacking” company was disowned by his family when he was 15, but says it’s something which has given him a unique perspective on life. He won the swimwear round on the competition. The 2015 Mr Gay World Top five: Iceland, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong The top 10: Belgium, Australia, Iceland, Finland, Colombia, New Zealand, Spain, Hong Kong, Germany, South Africa, Zambia. Special Award winners Art Challenge – Zambia Mr Photogenic – Spain Sport – Sweden Social Media – Belgium Written Test – Germany National Costume – Mexico People's Choice – Malta Swimwear – Australia Congeniality – Colombia Fashion – Spain
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Sunday, 3rd May 2015 - 10:13am